Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a feed portion that feeds a medium, a transport portion that transports the fed medium in a transport direction, a recording portion that performs recording on the medium transported by the transport portion, a support member that includes a support surface that supports the medium on which the recording portion performs recording. The recording apparatus includes a pressing member that presses the medium towards the support member, at a position upstream of the recording position of the recording portion in the transport direction. The pressing member is provided so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the support surface.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a medium support section that has a supply section supplying a continuous-shaped recording medium, a medium path through which the recording medium supplied on the supply section passes, and a transportation mechanism that transports the recording medium; and a recording section that performs recording on the recording medium passing through the medium path. A hole that is formed in a side wall having a light shielding property and capable of visually recognizing the inside of the medium path on the upstream side from the transportation mechanism in a transportation direction through the inside of the medium support section is provided in the medium support section.

Abstract: A printing apparatus capable of maintaining print sheet conveying performance while keeping apparatus cost low and apparatus size small is provided. The printing apparatus includes a conveying mechanism and a print unit. The conveying mechanism includes a conveying roller which is a driving roller, a plurality of pinch rollers which are passive rollers disposed facing the conveying roller, and a plurality of pinch roller axles supporting the pinch rollers. The print unit prints onto a sheet conveyed by the conveying rollers and the plurality of pinch rollers. The conveying mechanism includes one or more first pinch roller sets including two pinch rollers and a first pinch roller axle supporting the two pinch rollers, and one or more second pinch roller sets including three pinch rollers and a second pinch roller axle supporting the three pinch rollers.

Abstract: A printing apparatus capable of maintaining print sheet conveying performance while keeping apparatus cost low and apparatus size small is provided. The printing apparatus includes a conveying mechanism and a print unit. The conveying mechanism includes a conveying roller which is a driving roller, a plurality of pinch rollers which are passive rollers disposed facing the conveying roller, and a plurality of pinch roller axles supporting the pinch rollers. The print unit prints onto a sheet conveyed by the conveying rollers and the plurality of pinch rollers. The conveying mechanism includes one or more first pinch roller sets including two pinch rollers and a first pinch roller axle supporting the two pinch rollers, and one or more second pinch roller sets including three pinch rollers and a second pinch roller axle supporting the three pinch rollers.

Abstract: A paper-feeding device and a multi-functional printer are provided. The paper-feeding device includes a base, a driving axle, a position-limiting element and a retaining element. The base has a first assembling portion. The driving axle, the position-limiting and the retaining elements are all in the base. The position-limiting element has a second assembling portion and two position-limiting portions on radial directions of the second assembling portion between the inserting portion and the body. The retaining element includes a swing frame, a paper-separating element and a spring. The body of the swing frame is located between the two position-limiting portions. The first and second pivoting portions coaxial and connect the body are pivoted respectively to the first and second assembling portions. The inserting portion of the paper-separating element is sheathed by the body and the separating element leans against the driving axle.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a recording section which is provided over a transport passage for transporting a sheet in a transport direction and which has nozzles for discharging an ink onto the sheet; a platen which is provided under the recording section with the transport passage intervening therebetween and which has a plurality of ribs provided to support the sheet while being separated from each other in a widthwise direction of the transport passage perpendicular to the transport direction, the respective ribs protruding upwardly and extending in the transport direction; and a plurality of holding members which are provided to be positioned between the plurality of ribs in the widthwise direction of the transport passage over the platen on an upstream side in the transport direction from the nozzles and which abut against an upper surface of the sheet and press the sheet toward the platen.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a platen that guides a sheet, restraining members disposed on the platen at respective side edges of the sheet to restrain the side edges of the sheet from being raised, a sheet width detector that detects the width of the sheet, and a restraining member detector that detects the positions of the restraining members. At least one of the restraining members is moved in accordance with the information obtained by the sheet width detector regarding the positions of the side edges of the sheet and the information obtained by the restraining position detector regarding the positions of the restraining members.

Abstract: A sheet reversing device has a vertical first conveyance path, a horizontal second conveyance path into which a sheet is carried via the first conveyance path and a horizontally third conveyance path into which the switched-back sheet is carried from the second conveyance path. A curved guide plate is disposed between the first and second conveyance paths and includes a curved guide surface for guiding the sheet to the second conveyance path, and a pivotal guide pivotably supported with a part thereof projecting from the curved guide surface. The pivotal guide pivots to retract into the inner side of the curved guide by being pushed by the sheet moving from the first conveyance path toward the second conveyance path while guiding the sheet switched back and carried out from the second conveyance path toward the third conveyance path with the part thereof projecting from the curved guide surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for presenting a substrate/print media having favorable surface conditions and optimum spatial orientation for printing purposes. The apparatus/method includes a mechanism for maintaining the substrate/print media in a substantially orthogonal spatial orientation relative to the direction of ink deposition, and a pressurization device for developing a pressure differential across a face surface of the substrate/print media such that positive pressure is applied to a surface opposing the face surface. The pressurization device provides a cushion of air to support the substrate/print media during ink deposition. The apparatus/method may further include a system for transporting the substrate/print media beneath or across a print head assembly for in-line printing on a mailpiece.

Abstract: A printer for printing individual sheets from a continuous feed roll includes a housing configured for receipt of a feed roll of sheet material, and a print mechanism disposed within the housing, whereby the sheet material is conveyed within the housing to print mechanism. A sheet separating device is disposed within the housing downstream of the print mechanism to separate the sheet material into individual printed sheets. A discharge assembly is disposed downstream of the sheet separating device and defines a gap through which the sheet material is advanced. At least one protruding member is disposed in the gap at a position so as to contact and deflect the sheet material and to impart a curved transverse profile to a trailing edge of a first individual sheet held in the gap. In this manner, a leading edge of a subsequent sheet bisects the curved trailing edge of the first sheet and pushes the first sheet out of the gap as the second sheet is advanced through the print mechanism.

Abstract: This is disclosed a portable printer that is easy to load with an ink ribbon cartridge and record members web supplies, that is simple, has relatively few parts, is lightweight and has a small footprint.

Abstract: A flatbed printing machine is provided with a printing table and a pressing device for a medium to be printed. The pressing device features parallel guide rails on both sides of the printing table, through which a pressing rail that is moveable above the printing table is guided. The pressing device is particularly applicable to a digital ink-jet flatbed printing machines.

Abstract: A sheet handling device containing a sheet support element having a surface provided with suction holes which are connected to at least one suction chamber, the suction chamber being connected to a suction device adapted to create a subatmospheric pressure in the suction chamber, and a flow obstructing material arranged to obstruct an air flow from at least a subset of the suction holes into the suction chamber.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveying roller to convey a paper, a guide member to guide the paper conveyed by the conveying roller, a pressurizing roller to pressurize the paper guided by the guide member, and a heat transferring unit faced towards the pressurizing roller, the heat transferring unit being contacted with the paper to sequentially heat a surface of the paper. Thus, the image forming apparatus prevents a front end of the paper which is conveyed in an image forming unit from being caught during the conveyance.

Abstract: A method for feeding a recording medium includes the steps of: feeding the recording medium along a sheet-feeding path by a unit feeding amount, detecting an entrance of a rear end of the recording medium into a jumping alarm area, dividing the unit feeding amount into minute divisional feeding amounts such that the recording medium is fed by each minute divisional feeding amount when the rear end of the recording medium enters the jumping alarm area, detecting a jumping amount of the recording medium corresponding to a rotation of a driving roller when a jumping phenomenon occurs in the recording medium, and adjusting the minute divisional feeding amount to cancel the jumping amount.

Abstract: A printer (24) for printing upon a continuous web of print receivable media (18) is provided. The printer includes a print head (28) having a media drive assembly side and a media drive assembly for moving the media across the print head. The media drive assembly is disposed only on the media drive assembly side of the print head. The printer further includes a platen (30) disposed adjacent the print head and a controller (102) coupled to the print head, the media drive assembly, and the platen. The controller controls the printer during continuous printing and single sheet printing. During continuous printing, the media is moved in a downstream direction past the print head. During single sheet printing, the media is moved past the print head in an upstream direction one sheet at a time. Further, the printer may perform single sheet pull printing or single sheet push printing.

Abstract: A media handling system for handling sheets of media. The system includes a pick roller having a circumferential media-contacting surface and arranged for rotation about a roller axis to contact and pick a sheet from an input source. A drive roller rotates about a drive roller axis, with a media path extending between the pick roller and the drive roller. A first guide structure is positioned along a first longitudinal edge of the media path and providing a first media guide surface. A second guide structure is positioned along a second longitudinal edge of the media path and provides a second media guide surface. The first and second guide surfaces are positioned to constrain the movement of a media sheet in the media path between the pick roller and the drive roller, thereby alleviating trailing edge print defects.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is equipped with a recording head for performing recording on a conveyed recording medium by discharging liquid from a discharge opening array, and comprises a conveyor for conveying the recording medium, and a recording medium floating prevention member for preventing floating of the recording medium, wherein the floating prevention member includes a floating prevention area between the recording medium and the recording head, only on an upstream side, in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, of the discharge opening array of the recording head used in non-margin recording of performing the recording throughout the width of the recording medium. Thus, collision of the recording medium and the recording head can be prevented in both margin recording and the non-margin recording, without lowering recording speed and deteriorating recording quality.

Abstract: Two printing-medium guide systems restrain the medium. One is in an area upstream (along the direction of medium advance) from the pen, and extending laterally across the width of the medium except in one or more regions that are laterally near the engagement of a print-medium advancing device. The other guide system is disposed laterally from the pen, and extends laterally across the medium only in one or more regions that are laterally near the engagement of the advancing device. Preferably a human-actuable control selects a print-medium width, and shifts at least one bifurcation of the second guide system. A tensioning system, longitudinally beyond the marking head from the medium advancing device, and generally aligned laterally with that device, tensions the medium away from the advancing device to hold the medium taut at the pen. Preferably the advancing and tensioning devices are very closely spaced upstream and downstream, respectively, from the pen operating zone.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and method that provides for severing of prints from receiver media being printed. The receiver media is moved in a process direction past plural printing stations and the printing stations are recording images upon the receiver sheet. While printing is occurring a cutting mechanism having one or more cutting elements is operated to cut the receiver media along a transverse direction to separate a previously printed image on the receiver media from a portion of the receiver media being currently printed. The cutting mechanism includes a clamping member located proximate the one or more cutting elements for stopping movement of the receiver sheet downstream of the clamping mechanism to provide for a substantially square cut relative to the process direction of the receiver media.

Abstract: In an inkjet printing apparatus an inkjet printhead has a plurality of inkjet nozzles which eject ink onto media located within a print-zone. A drive shaft is located upstream of the printhead and is incrementally rotated to advance the media. The drive shaft has a longitudinal axis, a first radius over a central length and a second radius less than the first radius at a first recess and a second recess, each said recess being peripheral to the central length. A plurality of pinch devices stabilize the media against the drive shaft. A first guide is aligned with the first recess and is spaced from an axis of the drive shaft by a first distance which is less than the first radius. A second guide is aligned with the second recess and is spaced from the axis by a second distance less than the first radius.

Abstract: Accurate advance of a media sheet is achieved by carrying the media sheet on a belt loop. An upstream pinch roller holds the media sheet to the belt upstream of the print zone. A downstream pinch roller holds the media sheet to the belt downstream of the print zone. A guide shim extends along the media path from a position upstream of the upstream pinch roller, passed the upstream pinch roller toward the print zone. The guide shim advances with the bottom edge of the media sheet into the print zone to stabilize the trailing edge so as to allow for a smaller minimum bottom margin.

Abstract: A recording apparatus has a feeding unit for storing and feeding a recording medium, a recording unit for recording information on the recording medium having been fed from the feeding unit, and a discharging unit for discharging outside the recording medium having been transported through the recording unit. In the recording apparatus, a warping part for warping the recording medium and supporting parts for supporting both side edges of the recording medium warped by the warping part are formed on a guide member disposed downstream of the recording unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for flattening a substrate against a surface of a platform is provided. The method comprising positioning guides within a platform so that opposite edges of a substrate placed on the platform do not come in contact with at least one print head in close proximity over the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capability to form an image along a trailing edge of the paper by the use of a trailing edge deletion prevention apparatus capable of manipulating the paper to allow components capable of forming the image to travel in proximity to the paper without obstruction. In various embodiments, the invention involves the use of a biasing member or an interdigitated support element, each providing a trailing edge deletion prevention capability.

Abstract: A print medium exit system in a printer includes a kicker device ejecting a sheet of print medium out of the printer. A clutch mechanism prevents actuation of the kicker device when the clutch mechanism is engaged by the sheet of print medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for duplex printing of print sheets are described. In one aspect, a duplex module is configured so that print sheets may be controllably and reliably re-introduced into a print module in an orientation that is suitable for marking the second side of the print sheet without requiring a support structure that spans the entire width of the print sheet. In large format printing applications, this feature avoids large and heavy support structures, such as feed rollers, that otherwise would be needed to support the print sheets, as well as their own weight. In this way, a printing apparatus may provide duplex printing functionality with a structure that has a relatively light weight and a relatively small overall footprint.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a transporting roller for transporting a recording sheet to a recording section of the apparatus; a pre-biasing roller disposed upstream of the transporting roller relative to the direction of transportation of the recording sheet and arranged to impart to the recording sheet such a tendency that both lateral end portions of the recording sheet are curled away from a recording head; and a platen having a guide surface for guiding and supporting the recording sheet. An aperture is formed in the platen so as to oppose the recording head and so as to extend in the width direction of the recording sheet. The aperture has a predetermined width and a sloping surface so as to extend downward in the direction of transportation of the recording sheet.

Abstract: A media discharging device for an ink-jet printer includes a rubber roller and star roller. A pair of paper guides are arranged on both sides, with respect to its rotary shaft of, the star roller, opposing each other and close to the star roller. Each paper guide has a slant which is inclined gradually upward in the paper discharge direction. This slant is positioned offset with respect to the path of movement of the projections on the star roller towards the paper discharge side, so as to prevent the rear edge of the recording paper from dropping into the recessed portions of the star roller.

Abstract: A sheet discharging apparatus and an image forming apparatus having the sheet discharging apparatus in which a sheet can be discharged without causing any spur trace on the surface of the sheet. Therefore, a sheet P having an image formed thereon is discharged to a sheet discharging section by sheet discharging device 502, 503 and rotary members 504, 505. A plurality of projections 504a, 505a are respectively formed on outer circumferential portions of the rotary members 504, 505. The rotary members 504, 505 are rotated by rotation of the sheet discharging device 502, 503 while the sheet P is pressed by the projections 504a, 505a. When the rotary members 504, 505 are rotated while pressing the sheet P, orientations of the rotary members 504, 505 are changed by an attitude changing device in accordance with a movement of the sheet P so that rotating directions of the rotary members 504, 505 are made coincide with a discharging direction of the sheet P.

Abstract: A hardcopy apparatus includes a media holddown unit, having a platen, and a vacuum source for generating negative pressure on a medium positioned on said platen to keep it flat on said platen. The unit includes at least two vacuum chambers, both in air communication with the vacuum source. Each of the vacuum chambers can apply a negative pressure to a different portion of the medium positioned on a corresponding different region of the platen. A method for holding down a medium when placed on said platen. First the vacuum source is placed into independent air communication with a number of distinct regions of the platen, then the medium is positioned to cover one or more regions of the platen, and finally a negative pressure is applied to the back of the medium via the independent air communication.

Abstract: There is provided a sheeting transport apparatus comprising two roller pairs as a component of an auxiliary scan transport mechanism in optical beam scanners and an anti-positional offset mechanism that is provided between the two roller pairs to prevent any positional offset of sheeting that may occur in the depth direction from the optical scan position, for example a retaining roller pair including a fixed roller and a retainer roller capable of adjusting the force of urging the fixed roller. This apparatus further includes opening and closing mechanisms for independently advancing or retracting a roller of each roller pair with respect to a fixed roller, and drive units thereof. This apparatus is a small, compact and low-cost apparatus that is simple in configuration and which yet is optimal for precise image reading and recording purposes. The apparatus is capable of suppressing the adverse effects of curl and other undesirable phenomena in the sheeting.

Abstract: In a pressure device for a printer comprising a support element which can be fixed to a frame of the printer and a flexible plate fixed to the support element in order to press a printing substrate against a platen in the vicinity of a printing line, the support element includes a turned-over portion bent onto a remaining portion of the support element in order to restrain a portion of the flexible plate.

Abstract: A sheet feeding mechanism includes a sheet feed roller for transporting a sheet along a paper transport path, and a sheet-pressing member disposed so as to press the sheet feed roller. The sheet-pressing member integrally includes a pressing portion which is formed by increasing the diameter of a part of a coiled portion of a compression coil spring.

Abstract: In a page-turning device for a printer, arms are provided at the ends of a support shaft, and a pair of rollers are fitted around a roller shaft that is located between the distal ends of arms. Springs are attached to the base ends of the arms to press the rollers against a medium to be printed. Depending on the width of the medium, the positions of adjustment brackets can be changed, such that the urging forces produced by the springs are adjusted, so as to control the pressing forces exerted by rollers, thereby assuring substantially uniform force application onto at least two locations of the page such that the page can be readily turned without inappropriate folding, bending or creasing.

Abstract: First and second sheet guides (21, 31) are arranged individually in front and at the back of a print head (6) in a sheet feeding direction. Each of these sheet guides (21, 31) has an arcuate end edge opposite to the print head (6), the width-direction central portion of the end edge being located at the longest distance from the print head so that the space between the end edge and the print head gradually increases with lateral distance from the width-direction central portion of the end edge. In consequence, the leading end portion of a sheet that is printed by means of the print head (6), especially its opposite ends, can be prevented from abutting against the sheet guides (21, 31) and causing jamming due to deformation of the sheet or the like as the leading end portion of the sheet passes through a gap between a conveyor plate (9) and the sheet guides (21, 31).

Abstract: A hot melt ink jet printing device 1 includes guides 27 disposed on a printing surface 11 of a platen 12 at both sides of a print area and guides 28 disposed downstream side of the platen 12 in a sheet feed direction F. Heaters 21, 25 are mounted on an under surface of the platen 12 for applying heat to a recording sheet 7 placed on the printing surface 11. The print head 13 is disposed away from the platen 12 such that a nozzle surface 13a of the print head 13 confront the printing surface 11. The guides 27, 28 effectively prevent the recording sheet 7 from rising off the printing surface 11 toward the print head 13 when the recording sheet 7 is supplied with heat from the heater 21, 25. In this way, the recording sheet 7 is prevented from contacting the nozzle surface 13a.

Abstract: A print media feed system feeds a print medium in an advance direction through a print zone in an ink jet printer. A printhead includes a plurality of ink emitting nozzles and defines the print zone. A media control surface is positioned in association with the printhead. The media control surface is configured for engaging a back side of the print medium. A feed roller is positioned upstream from the print zone relative to the advance direction of the print medium. At least one deflector plate assembly is pivotable about an axis of rotation and includes at least one metering roller and at least one deflector plate. Each metering roller is positioned in association and defines a nip with the feed roller through which the print medium passes. Each deflector plate includes a deflector end which is disposed between each metering roller and the printhead. The deflector end is configured for deflecting the print medium.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder mounted removably to a computer input device having a medium receiving and supporting surface includes a plurality of interconnectable modular assemblies for defining a medium path that extends from a medium input tray to a medium output tray via the medium receiving and supporting surface of the computer input device. One of the modular assemblies is a main chassis assembly includes an integrally formed main chassis shell having a substantially planar base. The input tray extends upwardly from the base and has a document receiving surface with a concave shape in both the vertical and horizontal planes to help facilitate proper sheet stiffening and alignment for sheet loading purposes onto the receiving and supporting surface of the computer input device. A paper pick and transport mechanism is housed in the main chassis and protrudes through a set of apertures in the output tray.

Abstract: Thermal printer with a thermal head (16) for image-wise heating a heat-sensitive sheet (38) according to an elongate printing zone, transverse with respect to the sheet, and a rotatable print drum (15) for conveying such sheet past such thermal head while the head is urged towards the drum, which is provided with a pressure roller (17) for urging a sheet section, downstream of the printing zone, onto the print drum in order to establish a contact angle alpha between the sheet and the print drum. (FIG.

Abstract: A plurality of spaced-apart deflector guides are positioned over the input platen of a printer. They are suspended from an elongated media shield which extends laterally across an input media path such that a leading edge of media can easily fit under both the media shield and deflector guides. Each deflector guide has a plurality of downward facing surfaces such as ribs for directing the media toward an input slot defined by a top surface of the input platen, a terminal edge of the deflector guides, and a terminal edge of the media shield. The spaces between the deflector guides are wide enough to allow both hands to be placed directly on the media adjacent to or between two deflector guides for easy manual manipulation of a leading edge of the media into general alignment with the input slot where it can be gripped between the main pick roller and opposing pinch wheels for feeding into a print zone on the printer. The invention is applicable to both sheet feed and rollfeed printer devices.

Abstract: A printer for printing characters and images on recording paper comprising: a paper cassette for storing the recording paper; a platen roller around which the recorrding paper is wound at the time of the transfer of images for printing; a clamping mechanism for clamping the recording paper between the clamping mechanism and the platen roller; a motor for driving the platen roller through a gear unit; a thermal printing head for transferring images onto the recording paper; paper feeding rollers for feeding the recording paper from the paper cassette to the clamper; paper discharging rollers for discharging the recording paper upon the completion of the transfer of images thereto; and an ink cassette storing an ink sheet inside thereof; in which the clamping mechanism comprises a clamper which is mounted on the platen roller in such a manner as to permit the free movement of the clamper, holds the recording paper by pushing the recording paper onto the platen roller in a first position and also releases the re

Abstract: A label printer and cutter combination will print a number of labels on a large sheet that is fed from a sheet tray coupled to the printer. The labels are oriented orthogonally along X-Y axes on the sheet, and once all the labels on the sheet have been printed, a transfer section coupled to the printer changes position and the sheet is fed, with the printed labels on the sheet, into a cutter. The cutter is operated to individually cut the labels and deposit the sheet of properly cut labels onto a storage tray. The printer and the cutter are operated under digital control and can be programmed to accommodate different size labels as well as different size sheets as well as provide signals for controlling related functions of the printer and cutter.

Abstract: A postage meter for printing an indicia image on a print surface of a mailpiece includes a print head having a plurality of nozzles through which ink is ejected to print the indicia image on the print surface during relative movement between the print head and the mailpiece; a registration plate having a registration surface against which the mailpiece is registered to define an operative gap between the nozzles and the print surface, the registration plate having an opening therein to expose the print surface to the nozzles to permit printing of the indicia image on the print surface; and a stop mechanism connected to the print head so that at times when the print surface of the mailpiece extends through the opening the stop mechanism prevents contact between the print surface and the nozzles during printing of the indicia image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet conveying apparatus comprising a sheet supply device which supplies a sheet, a guide member which guides the sheet delivered by the sheet supplying device, a hold down member which presses the sheet against the guide member, a release device which releases the pressure of the hold down member, and a control device which controls the sheet supply device in connection with pressure releasing operation of the release device.

Abstract: A printer for feeding printing sheets of different thicknesses including a sheet feeding roller 30 adapted to convey a printing sheet P. A pinch roller having a shaft 40a is provided and adapted to press a printing sheet against sheet feeding roller. A supporting member 41 is provided for rotatably supporting pinch roller 40 through shaft 41. An urging member 45 is provided for applying the pressing force through the supporting member to the pinch roller. A guide member 46, discrete from supporting member 41, is positioned by shaft 40a of pinch roller 30, and adapted to lead the front edge of the printing sheet to the nipping region of sheet feeding roller 30 and pinch roller 40.

Abstract: A sheet is fed to a printing zone of a printhead by a feed roller and a pressure roller. An elastic sheet guide plate is joined to a lever supporting the pressure roller. The guide plate comes into contact with the feed roller upstream from a nip defined by the feed roller and the pressure roller. A nip between the conveying roller and the guide plate allows to register the sheet. The sheet, after having passed through the nip formed between the conveying roller and the guide plate, is directed to the printing zone of the printhead by the guide plate. As the guide plate extends from the printhead side end portion of the lever to a position just before the printhead, the sheet trailing edge is prevented from interfering with the printhead. Ink will not soil the sheet trailing edge, and, it is possible to achieve a high quality printing to a position extremely nearby the sheet trailing edge by using the guide plate.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprising a platen for supporting a sheet at a recording area, feeding means for feeding the sheet to the platen, recording means for recording an image on the sheet at the recording area, and an urging member disposed at a downstream side of the recording area and adapted to urge the sheet against the platen. The urging member has an urging surface for urging the sheet against the platen when the recording means is recording the image on the sheet.

Abstract: Printed paper is peeled off from an ink sheet at a rear sheet guide roller to be initially fed along a tangential line on a platen roller. When the leading edge of the paper reaches a projecting portion on one of two guide plates, the paper is forcibly bent or redirected toward the other guide plate beyond or through the tangential line, the paper being formed in a shape generally resembling the letter S along a clearance between the projecting portion and the other guide plate. The paper carried in this shape has an inherent stiffness and therefore does not generate vibration due to shaking when peeled off from the ink sheet at the rear sheet guide roller. Consequently, the paper does not beat the guide plates and generates no noise.

Abstract: Two printing-medium guide systems restrain the medium. One is in an area upstream (along the direction of medium advance) from the pen, and extending laterally across the width of the medium except in one or more regions laterally near the engagement of a print-medium advancing device. The other guide system is disposed laterally from the pen, and extends laterally across the medium only in one or more regions laterally near the engagement of the advancing device. Preferably these "one or more regions" are only near the lateral edges of the medium--so that (1) the first guide system restrains the medium over an area that stops short (ideally about 11/2 centimeter short) of the lateral edges; and (2) the second guide system is bifurcated, disposed laterally in two directions from the pen, and restrains the medium across only the lateral edges of the medium (most preferably in a strip whose width is a few millimeters, ideally 3 mm).